First Team News

KDB: Steaua showing should take us through

TEAM EFFORT: De Bruyne was proud of the way the side played against Steaua Bucharest

City star Kevin De Bruyne believes Tuesday night’s 5-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest is enough to see them through to the Group Stage of the Champions League.

Goals from David Silva and Nolito and a hat-trick from Sergio Aguero in the Romanian capital guaranteed City's biggest ever European away win ahead of next week’s second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne said: “We knew at half-time that we needed to score a couple more goals and keep it to nil but now it’s a really good advantage and we should qualify for the Champions League next week.”

“We played a really good game. Even with the five-nil, it could have been eight or nine but it’s a really good advantage for next week.”

Before Aguero had guaranteed his hat-trick the Argentinian missed two first half penalties but De Bruyne doesn’t feel that this is an issue for City.

“He scored three goals so what can you do? It can happen that you miss two penalties but if you score three goals nobody will complain,” he said.

Raheem Sterling echoed the sentiments of De Bruyne in that he believes the advantage is an impressive one to take into next week’s return leg.

“Coming here we knew we needed to take our chances when we got them because we know they’re a difficult team but we stuck with it, got the goals and it’s a good advantage to take into the second leg,” said Sterling.

“It’s been a good start to the season so far and two games and two wins is the most important.”

Sterling has made an exceptional start to the season and the winger praised Pep Guardiola for the way he has helped him since arriving at the club.

He said: “I’ve come back wanting to play football under this manager and he’s given me real encouragement.”